Caravan Travel Service

The concession treaty was signed on March 6, 1889, for a 99 year lease. However, Japan occupied it on August 27, 1914, as part of the First World War. The Germans acquired it as a relatively unimportant town of about 1000 inhabitants. Yet by 1902, it had grown to 668 Caucasians and 15000 Chinese. As of the most recent data available, the city has a population of 2.6 million.

During the colonial period, the Germans left a distinct mark on Qingdao’s architecture that can still be seen today in its historic center and train station: although the latter has been mostly torn down for redevelopment, part of the original station has been preserved to be incorporated in the new design. Many German-period buildings have been preserved as heritage monuments. It is a kind of ‘Bavaria-on-the-East-China-Sea’, where they even sell Bratwurst on the street. In 1903, the world-famous Tsingtao brewery was established by homesick Germans. The Japanese were ousted during the 1918 May 4th Movement but retook the city in 1938.

In 2008 Qingdao will play host to the sailing events of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Qingdao’s climate ranges from very hot and humid in the summer to snowstorms in winter. Qingdao is the ideal destination if you want to combine sea-side fun with your trip to China.

By air
The Qingdao Liuting International Airport is the main hub for Shangdong Airlines and a focus city of China Eastern. There are more than ten flights each day from both Shanghai and Beijing, and less frequent flights to all the other major domestic destinations. International destinations include Seoul (Incheon), Pusan, Tokyo, Osaka, and Hong Kong. The airport is located 32 kilometers from the city itself, about a half hour taxi ride. Prices for a taxi ride from the airport to the Hong Kong Middle Road area should be between ¥100-120 depending on the route taken (The 308 highway is slower but cheaper, the toll expressway is faster and more expensive).

By boat
From Incheon, Korea there are ferries thrice-weekly by Weidong Ferries [1]. There are also twice-weekly connections to Shimonoseki, Japan on Orient Ferries [2]. The trip takes over 24 hours and 2nd class one-way costs ¥12,000. Note that the boat going TO Japan takes 2 nights while for some reason coming back to China it only takes 1.

By bus
Especially if you are travelling from within Shandong province, going by bus is probably the easiest way. Especially now with the new excellent and fast expressways linking Qingdao with other cities in the province. There are several buses per day to Jinan, Taian, Qufu, as well as Yantai and Rizhao on the coast. They leave from and arrive to the bus station just outside the train station, but also from the new bus station north of town, which can be reached by local trolleybus number 5 in 20 min.

1.Tsingtao Brewery — The brewery has some interesting exhibits and the bottling plant is fascinating. Of course the ample free samples of beer are likely to persuade you this place is worth a visit.

2.Polar Ocean World — An aquarium focusing on polar animals, including polar bears and penguins. Newer and more modern than the “Underwater World”. It also has a well known beluga whale show. Admission is ¥120 per adult.

3.Qingdao Municipal Museum — Housed in a three story building at 27 MeiLing Lu. It includes exhibits of art and antiquities of ancient to modern Qingdao. Open Tu-Su. Admission ¥20. Housed in the same building is the Haier Science Museum, a separate museum specially geared towards children. Admission ¥10.

What to Buy

There are three main areas for buying stuff. The best is Taidong Buxingjie (Taidong Pedestrian Street). Very “renao” (bustling), especially at night when the peddlers come out and you can buy all manner of trinkets, clothing, household wares, etc. While in Taidong be careful of the Pickpockets.

To provision yourself, head out to the Carrefour/Jusco/Book City section of town where Mid Hong Kong Road and Nanjing Road intersect. A new 8-floor mall, located close to this area, recently opened and is quite a bit better than Jusco. It is called MyKAL.

Don’t miss Jimo Lu market, a great place to buy knock off Gucci, Prada, Louis Vitton as well as local retail goods. Recently refurbished and opening new shops across the street in a new plaza, it will soon become one of Qingdao’s most popular retail markets.

Zhong Shan Lu, recently retrofitted for 2008, still boasts some of the oldest shops in Qingdao.

Korean — The city has a very large Korean population, and thanks to this, lots of great Korean restaurants. Head to Hong Kong Gardens (Shanghang Road in particular) and you will find many excellent Korean restaurants.

German — It wouldn’t be a trip to a former German treaty port without some real German food and beer “cooked by Chinese.” Check out Monnemer Eck’s, it is the closest thing to real German food in the city.

Western — Most of the western restaurants can be found along the Mid Hong Kong Road corridor as well as in Hong Kong Gardens. You can choose from a wide variety of food: Italian, French, German, etc.

Drink

Tsingtao is China’s best-known brand of beer. The brewery was founded by Germans during colonial times and still today brews according to the German purity law. Every August there is a beer festival (check the listing in the “Do” section). Many European breweries participate.

YHA Old Observatory — Qingdao Observatory, the first observatory in China, is a great location for this youth hostel, which is situated on Mt. Observatory in the heart of Qingdao. It is a hidden gem from which to explore China’s most well-known coastal city.